The Greenwood County Commissioners received official word on Monday, Dec. 16, that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had denied the request for funding for the bridge located near U Road and 100th Street (also referenced as the Hazel Russell bridge). Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson presented the response from FEMA stating “FEMA was unable to determine that permanent repairs to the facility were required as a direct result of the disaster.” The incident period was between April 28 and July 12, 2019. The letter continued, “Therefore, the applicant’s request for funding in the amount of $1,140,493 is denied. However, the applicant’s request for repairs of road base and road gravel on the approaches to the bridge in the amount of $104,355 are eligible.”
Commissioners discussed potential plans for the bridge repair, as well as the length of time that has passed since the bridge was damaged. “FEMA knew what they were going to say and they drug it out for six years,” stated Commissioner Paul Hodge. Commissioner Roy Ballard also noted the cost to replace a bridge has increased from $640,000 to $1.2M.
Vinson also shared that although the process is slow, it is currently moving faster than it has in the past and a correct plan of action is in place. Road and Bridge Supervisor Allen Greenwood noted that he would be meeting with the engineer early this week to continue the discussion.
The commission approved to move forward with the mapping project.
Three bids for the annual end-of-year dinner were received, with the commission approving the bid for a brisket or roast meal with cheesy potatoes, green beans, dessert and drink through TNT Catering. The bid was for $16 per plate. TNT Catering will also provide table service. Other bids were from Teresa Gulick, $18/plate and Hamptons 2.0, $35/plate.
Following up on a prior meeting’s conversation, the commission approved to become a 2025 member of the Kansas Natural Resource Coalition (KNRC). The KNRC engages state and federal agencies during environmental and natural resource administrative rulemaking processes and other actions. The commission approved the membership of $5,000 annually.
Sheriff Heath Samuels shared that dispatch would be getting a technology upgrade before the end of the year. He noted that they had been looking into purchasing new software as upgrades were no longer available and recently acquired a quote from TBS Electronics, Inc. from Topeka, totaling $6,448.66. This fee includes a dispatch console PC, touchscreen monitor, wireless headset adapters, EncorePro (x5), footswitch, interface cable and labor. Sheriff Samuels noted that the update should occur before the end of the month. He also noted that he is still looking at purchasing a vehicle before the end of the year but was still deciding on the type of vehicle he wanted to purchase (truck or SUV).
The commission held three executive sessions. The first was for fiveminutes with Treasurer Donna Olson regarding personnel; the second was for legal matters with County Counselor Paul Dean for five-minutes and the third one was also for legal matters with Dean. No action was taken following any of the executive sessions.
The commission approved cereal malt beverage (CMB) licenses for Pete’s of Erie (formerly Trip-Co) and Troll-King (at former Tri-Corner location). Clerk Deann McCaffree also noted that a CMB application was received shortly before the meeting for Hamptons 2.0 and would be presented at next week’s meeting.
Special payables, totaling $1,101.02 and an amended payroll totaling $187,020.96, were approved. Clerk McCaffree noted that the payables were amended to reflect a lower amount as a bonus had been counted for a Greenwood County EMS employee that was no longer active. The commission also approved the Dec. 9 meeting minutes as presented.
Greenwood County Health Director Vicki Lindsey presented three employment verifications to the commission. Lindsey shared that Madison Morris, now serving as Computer Professional, would be moved to a salary position at the same rate, $33,280 annually. She also noted she had hired Jayme Lewis to fill the full-time Registered Nurse position at a rate of $32/hour and Beverly Signer as a temporary biller at $20/ hour.
Commissioner Preston Evenson stated that he didn’t feel Road and Bridge Supervisor Greenwood needed to appear at every Greenwood County Commission meeting, noting he had other things he could be doing. It was noted that Greenwood had submitted written reports, which would suffice unless an issue arose and further discussion was needed. The commission directed Greenwood to attend meetings he felt it was merited or if called upon to discuss a matter.
Discussion was held about the meeting time of the final Greenwood County Commission meeting of the year, slated for Tuesday, Dec. 31. The commission agreed to have the meeting at 9 a.m.
The next Greenwood County Commission meeting is slated for Monday, Dec. 23, at 9 a.m.
